How long to become a teacher in california

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Prerequisite Coursework in California

All states require that prospective teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification. Some states also have specific course and credit-hour requirements.

Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curricula and fieldwork.

Curricula generally include instruction on teaching fundamental skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design, and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Fieldwork often includes field observations, internships, student teaching, or a combination of all three.

California does not list specific course or credit-hour requirements, but every college or university teacher preparation program will have requirements of its own. However, all California teachers must take a class on the U.S. Constitution, as well as a Developing English Language Skills course the program they complete must also cover use of computers in a school setting and health education. Contact your teacher preparation program or the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for more information.

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California Teacher Certification Programs

Teacher preparation typically involves the completion of an accredited teacher education program. Teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula include foundational knowledge and skills, contemporary pedagogy, and lesson plan implementation. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship. A list of accredited teacher preparation programs in California can be found through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s Approved Program dashboard.

Initial Teaching Certifications

Getting a teaching credential in California will require you to fulfill the designated undergraduate coursework, a teacher preparation program, and standardized testing. Teaching at the elementary level requires a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, teaching at the secondary level requires a Single Subject Teaching Credential, and teaching special education students requires an Education Specialist Instruction Credential.

Novice teachers begin with a Preliminary Credential, with which they are allowed to teach for up to five years. At the end of that period, they must meet the criteria for a Clear Credential. The requirements for the Clear Credential can be satisfied in one of two ways:

1. General Education Induction Program
2. Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Learn more about getting your California teaching credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or on Teach’s credential page.

You may also reach out to the California Department of Education for more detailed questions.

Aspiring teachers with a bachelor’s degree that is not in education who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. (Note: California does not offer undergraduate majors in Education.) Here’s a list and description of some alternative routes to certification in California:

• College or university internship programs
• School district internship
• Get credit for private school teaching experience
• Get credit for Peace Corps teaching experience

The California Troops to Teachers program is another alternative pathway to teacher certification in California. See the Commission on Credentialing’s How to Become a Teacher in California page for more information about traditional and alternative California teacher certification routes.

California Teacher Certification Information & Links

• California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• List of Financial Aid and Teaching Incentives

Certification Reciprocity in California

California participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification’s Interstate Agreement, meaning that California accepts teaching credentials from other states, but may not accept all teaching credentials from other states. Be sure to contact the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to inquire about your specific situation. You can also learn more on the Teach.com reciprocity page.

To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in California, check out our Teacher Certification Reciprocity page on Teach.com.

California Teaching Jobs

The California Department of Education runs a teaching job site with certification information, career analysis, and a teacher shortage page. On this site, the Department of Education articulates its specific needs from teachers and gives general information about teaching in California.

Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com

California Teacher Salary and Incentives

California is one of the highest paying states for teachers, with teachers making an average of $85,050 per year depending on grade level, according to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Teacher salaries vary by location within California. California teachers are eligible for the Good Neighbor Next Door program, which provides a significant discount on housing in certain areas.

Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

California Teacher Benefits and Retirement

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System provides information on health care, dental care, disability support, earnings credit, and retirement benefits, as well as retirement plan progress reports. For more information, visit the benefits page.

Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Financial Aid in California

California residents are eligible for the Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship as well as the TEACH Grant, a grant that gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need field in a low-income area.

Learn more about how to finance your master’s degree on Teach.com.

Professional Development for California Teachers

California’s Department of Education has a number of professional development initiatives designed to improve the quality of teaching and keep it dynamic. Development opportunities include staff mentoring, peer assistance review (PAR) programs, and statewide workshops. Resources include seminars on iTunes U. The California Department of Education and Commission on Teacher Credentialing co-sponsor the California Teacher Induction Program. The program helps newly credentialed teachers fulfill the requirements for the California Clear Multiple and Single Subjects credentials. The California Department of Education also offers information on internship programs for prospective teachers.

Benefits of a Master’s Degree in California

A master’s degree in the field of education gives teachers more field experience and pedagogical knowledge, which leads to increased competence in the classroom. A masters degree may also lead to increased pay.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.